Drawing-based deception detection techniques: a state-of-the-art review

Abstract

Drawing-based deception detection techniques 2 AbstractThe current article presents a concise overview of the emerging literature on drawingbased deception detection techniques. We cover the theoretical rationale of such techniques as well as the main results from the extant empirical studies. These studies have primarily looked at differences in the drawings between truth tellers and liars in terms of quality (e.g., detail, plausibility) and consistency (both within-group, and between-statement). The findings highlight drawings as a promising tool to elicit differences between truth tellers and liars on such cues. The paper also examines more practical aspects, such as practitioners' experience of the approach and preference for the approach in training studies. Finally, the susceptibility of the approach to counter-measures and directions for future research are discussed. Although research on drawingbased deception detection techniques is still very much in its infancy, results of this first round of studies are promising. They indicate the potential of incorporating drawings into real-life investigative interviews as a cheap, effective, and easy to use approach to deception detection.

Drawing what lies ahead: False intentions are more abstractly depicted than true intentions

“…From a more practical point of view, the results can relate to recent work in drawing‐based deception detection techniques. The use of drawings is a promising innovation for detecting deception, which has resulted in some of the largest cues to deceit in the published deception literature (for a review, see Mac Giolla, Granhag, & Vernham, ). The underlying theoretical rationale for the predicted differences between liars' and truth tellers' drawings is, however, somewhat difficult to readily translate to intention contexts.…”

Sketching while narrating as a tool to detect deceit

“…One such interview tool is the use of drawings. In their overview of deception studies that used drawings, Mac Giolla, Granhag, and Vernham () reported that differences between truth tellers' and liars' drawings frequently occur. They concluded that the use of drawings has potential to detect detection.…”

“…They concluded that the use of drawings has potential to detect detection. In all studies summarized by Mac Giolla et al (), sketching occurred in isolation of speech. That is, participants were never asked to narrate and sketch at the same time.…”

Facilitating memory‐based lie detection in immediate and delayed interviewing: The role of mnemonics

“…Regarding real‐life interviewing settings, the application of mnemonics can be valuable because they do not require many resources (e.g., in contrast to polygraph machines) and are easy to implement and analyse (Mac Giolla, Granhag, & Vernham, ; Vrij et al, ). Thus, these techniques can be useful for practitioners to make inferences about the credibility of interviewees.…”